Bringing a new baby into the world is one of life’s most profound experiences. Those first days are an extraordinary blur of tenderness, exhaustion, wonder, and love — and they pass with a speed that surprises every new parent. Newborn photography captures these fleeting moments and preserves them in a way that memory alone cannot.
As a photographer who has documented hundreds of newborns over the past fifteen years, I want to share everything you need to know about planning and preparing for your newborn session. My goal is to make the experience as calm and enjoyable as possible for everyone — especially your newest family member.
When to Book and When to Shoot
Booking During Pregnancy
I recommend booking your newborn session during the second or third trimester of pregnancy. Newborn photographers fill their calendars well in advance, and booking early ensures your preferred dates are available. When you book, I will pencil in a two-week window around your due date. Once baby arrives, we will confirm the exact session date.
The Ideal Age for Newborn Photographs
The optimal window for newborn photography is between five and fourteen days after birth. During this period, babies are typically:
- Very sleepy: Newborns in their first two weeks sleep deeply and for extended periods, which allows us to gently pose them and capture those curled, peaceful positions that define newborn photography
- Naturally flexible: They still curl into the foetal position instinctively, creating those tucked, womb-like poses that parents love
- Less alert to stimulation: Younger newborns are less likely to be startled by the camera or movement around them
After two weeks, babies become increasingly alert, their startle reflex strengthens, and they are less likely to settle into deep sleep during a session. This does not mean we cannot photograph older newborns — we absolutely can — but the style of the session shifts towards awake, lifestyle-oriented images rather than posed sleeping portraits.
Preparing Your Home (For Home Sessions)
Many of my newborn sessions take place in the family home, and for good reason. You are in your own environment with everything you need, there is no travel with a tiny baby, and the images have a personal, intimate quality that studio settings cannot replicate.
Here is how to prepare your home for a newborn session:
Lighting
Natural light is essential. Identify the room in your home with the largest windows and the most consistent light. This is usually the master bedroom or a south-facing living room. We will position ourselves near the window to use the soft, directional light that creates beautiful, natural-looking photographs.
You do not need to rearrange furniture or redecorate. I work with your space as it is, and I will move small items if needed to create clean compositions.
Temperature
Newborns lose body heat quickly, especially when undressed for skin-to-skin or bare-baby portraits. I recommend heating the room to around 24—26 degrees Celsius before the session begins. This keeps baby comfortable and sleepy, which makes for a smoother session.
A portable heater near the posing area is helpful. I bring my own as a backup, but your home heating is usually sufficient if turned up in advance.
Decluttering
You do not need a show-home. I am selective about what appears in the frame, and I will tidy small areas as needed. However, clearing surfaces near the best light source — a bed, a sofa, a window seat — gives us more flexibility.
What to Bring (For Studio Sessions)
If we are working at my studio space, bring the following:
- Nappies and wipes: More than you think you will need
- Two or three outfit changes for baby: Simple, soft pieces in neutral tones work best
- A dummy or pacifier: Even if you do not normally use one, it can help settle baby between setups
- Milk or formula: Whether breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, baby will almost certainly want a feed during the session
- A change of clothes for parents: In case of any unexpected moments
- Muslins and burp cloths: For obvious reasons
- Your favourite blanket or toy: Personal items add meaning to the images
Feeding Before the Session
A full baby is a sleepy baby. I always recommend a good feed shortly before the session start time — ideally within thirty minutes of our scheduled beginning. If baby falls asleep during the feed, that is perfect. I can begin working with a sleeping newborn and transition through poses without waking them.
If you are breastfeeding and baby needs another feed during the session, that is completely normal and expected. Newborn sessions are designed to accommodate multiple feeds, nappy changes, and settling periods. A typical session runs two to three hours precisely because babies set the pace.
Safety Is Non-Negotiable
Newborn safety is my absolute priority, and I want every parent to understand the precautions I take during every session.
Posing Safety
The curled, artistic poses you see in professional newborn photography require careful handling and specific techniques. Some poses that appear as though the baby is self-supporting are actually composites — two images merged together, with a parent’s hands supporting baby in one frame and removed in editing.
I never place a baby in a position that relies on the baby holding themselves. Every pose has a spotter — either a parent or an assistant — with hands on or immediately next to the baby at all times.
Prop Safety
Any props used in a session — baskets, bowls, wraps, headbands — are checked for safety before the session. I use only props specifically designed for newborn photography, with smooth edges, stable bases, and non-toxic materials.
Wraps are never tight enough to restrict breathing or circulation. Headbands are soft and never apply pressure.
Hygiene
All fabrics, blankets, and props are freshly laundered before each session using fragrance-free, baby-safe detergent. My hands are washed and sanitised before handling any baby. If I am unwell, I will reschedule — no exceptions.
Your Role as a Parent
You are welcome and encouraged to stay close throughout the session. Many parents sit right next to the posing area, and I actively involve parents as spotters. If at any point you feel uncomfortable with a pose or position, speak up immediately. Your instincts about your baby matter more than any photograph.
Parent and Sibling Involvement
Newborn sessions are not only about the baby. Some of the most treasured images from these sessions are the ones that include parents and siblings.
Parent Portraits
I typically include parent-and-baby portraits in every newborn session. These are usually simple, emotional compositions — a mother cradling her baby near a window, a father’s hands supporting a tiny sleeping form. They require minimal preparation on your part; I will guide you into natural, comfortable positions.
If you have recently given birth and feel self-conscious about your body, please know that I am sensitive to this and I photograph in a way that focuses on the connection between parent and child, not on how your body looks.
Sibling Portraits
If you have older children, including them in a few frames creates beautiful family heirlooms. For toddlers and young children, I recommend:
- Keep expectations realistic: A two-year-old will not sit still and smile on command, and that is perfectly fine. I capture natural moments of interaction, curiosity, and tenderness.
- Involve them early: Bring siblings in at the beginning of the session when their energy and patience are highest.
- Bribe wisely: A small treat or sticker reward after their “job” is done works wonders.
- Have a helper: A grandparent or partner who can take older children to another room after their portion is complete allows the rest of the session to continue peacefully.
What Happens After the Session
After your newborn session, I carefully edit and curate the gallery. This typically takes two to three weeks. You will receive access to a private online gallery where you can view, download, and order prints.
I recommend printing your newborn photographs. Digital files are important for sharing and archiving, but a beautifully printed image on your wall or in an album has a physical presence that a screen cannot match. I offer a range of fine-art prints, albums, and framing options.
A Note on Timing and Flexibility
If baby arrives earlier or later than expected, that is absolutely fine. We adjust the session date to fall within the ideal window. If baby has spent time in the neonatal unit or has specific health considerations, we will discuss the right timing and approach together.
There is no pressure and no rush. The session happens when baby — and you — are ready.
If you are expecting and would like to book a newborn session, I would love to hear from you. Get in touch to reserve your spot, or visit my newborn photography page to see examples from recent sessions.